Resonance and the experience of relevance

Abstract

In this article, I propose the concept of resonance as a useful one for describing what it means to experience relevance. Based on an extensive interdisciplinary review, I provide a novel framework that presents resonance as a spectrum of experience with a multitude of outcomes ranging from a sense of harmony and coherence to life transformation. I argue that resonance has different properties to the more traditional interpretation of relevance and provides a better system of explanation of what it means to experience relevance. I show how traditional approaches to relevance and resonance work in a complementary fashion and outline how resonance may present distinct new lines of research into relevance theory.

Feedback beyond accuracy: Using eye‐tracking to detect comprehensibility and interest during reading

“…This potentially offers various new forms of interaction support that help users cope with the complexities of information and knowing (e.g., Taranova & Braschler, 2021). These new opportunities for adaptation will be instrumental for information systems to enter into cooperative relationships with their users, where systems increasingly consider subjective aspects of information interaction until they eventually cater for information that challenges yet resonates with its users (Ruthven, 2021).…”

“…This relevance space is typically considered within task‐based situations in which (more or less) objective and intellectual criteria dominate relevance decisions (Saracevic, 2007 ; Xu, 2007 ). Interest is instead associated with interactions that are more hedonic and affective in nature (Ruthven, 2021 ; Xu, 2007 ). Even though a vast variety of interactions seem not driven by instrumental needs anymore, this emotional side of relevance has arguably been less well integrated into theorizing on relevance (Belkin, 2008 ; Ruthven, 2021 ).…”

“…Users apply a range of criteria when judging relevance, such as about the topicality, credibility, style, and reading level of a document (Schamber, 1994 ) and the story and visual effects of a movie (Adomavicius & Kwon, 2015 ). This vast complexity of human judgment subsequently shapes a cognitive‐affective experience of relevance (Ruthven, 2021 ). During an evolving interaction session, a particular set of metacognitive judgments and experiences unfolds, such as the case with users' reflection on processing dynamics: While cognitive ease is typically associated with feelings of satisfaction (Al‐Maskari & Sanderson, 2010 ), intermediate complexity seems associated with feelings of interest (Dubey & Griffiths, 2020 ; van der Sluis et al, 2014 ).…”

An information behavior theory of transitions

“…These are primarily orientation activities: Estimating, probing, scaffolding against what is known and using comparisons to judge the level of change that may be necessary. Some information may be more impactful than others at this stage as Huttenen et al, explain "Deeply meaningful information can serve as a trigger for life change, helping people forward during the transitions" (Huttunen & Kortelainen, 2020), particularly information that is somehow resonant with the individual (Ruthven, 2021).…”

Resonance as a Design Strategy for AI and Social Robots

“…A recent review of the word “resonance” in the language of scientific literature (Ruthven, 2021 ) reveals that resonance typically serves as an implicit metaphor to indicate 1. agreement (e.g., new evidence can resonate with an existing theory), 2. arousal (e.g., a film that resonates is engaging and moving) or 3. action (e.g., the resonance of a speech can motivate people to take action). But, despite a vast number of scientific articles that use resonance as a term, it is only very rarely defined.…”